BJP set for victory in Jharkhand with leads in 53 seats

Ranchi, Dec 23: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appeared set for victory in Jharkhand on Tuesday as counting of votes polled in assembly polls put its candidates ahead in a whopping 53 of the 81 seats.

Election Commission sources indicated a BJP sweep, with the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leading only in 11 constituencies, the Congress in four and two other parties in six places.

Almost all the exit polls after the five-phase election had predicted a BJP win in Jharkhand.

Chief Minister Hemant Soren was leading from both the seats he contested. Former chief minister Madhu Koda, accused of corruption, was trailing, officials said.

Another former chief Minister, Babulal Marandi, was leading in Dhanwar but trailing in Giridih.

A total of 1,136 candidates fought the election.

IANS